Roses, often seen as symbols of love and passion, hold a central place in gardens and culture. A recent study in Nature Plants reveals the ancestral rose was yellow, not the colors we commonly see today. This discovery changes our understanding of rose evolution.
Professor Chao Yu from Beijing Forestry University led a genomic analysis. The team sequenced the genome of Rosa persica, a desert species, and 80 other Chinese wild species. This allowed them to reconstruct the genetic ancestry of modern roses.
The study identified the original rose as yellow, with simple petals and no spots. Its leaves likely had seven leaflets, a trait still found in some wild species. Red, white, and pink roses are recent developments from mutations or crossbreeding driven by human preferences.
This research has practical implications for rose breeders. The genus Rosa includes about 140 wild species and 35,000 horticultural cultivars. The new phylogenetic mapping provides a tool for more effective crossbreeding of varieties.
This could lead to more robust, fragrant, and disease-resistant roses. These traits are crucial in the context of climate change and globalized pests. The research can also guide conservation efforts by identifying wild species to preserve for genetic diversity.
The history of roses is linked to geological events. About 23 million years ago, the rise of the Himalayas altered the Asian climate. This led to decreased rainfall and temperatures, restricting the distribution of roses and causing population decline.
Subspecies like Banksianae, known for white and yellow flowers, survived and resurged around 200,000 years ago. This natural resilience can inspire botanists in combating climate challenges. The quest for beauty has also led to a loss of ancestral fragrances in roses.
Humans have sacrificed olfactory richness for traits like vase life and disease resistance. This mirrors a trend in agriculture, where optimizing yield reduces diversity. Yellow roses, historically associated with jealousy, may regain popularity as their ancient origins are revealed.